The Amicalola Falls, the tallest in the eastern U.S, are located within Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, GA. This 830 square acre park was founded and developed in the 1950s for the main purpose of allowing hikers access to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail near a major road (Amicalola Falls, Gateway to the Applicahian Trail [Updated 2003]). At the very southernmost limit of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Amicalola ("Tumbling Water" in Cherokee) Falls marks the Amicalola Ridge watershed boundary, and the end of the Piedmont. Due to this unusual physiographical placement, the Falls harbors traits common to both regions.
Geology and soils of the area
Georgia is split into five different regions based on the characteristics and physical geography. These regions are the Coastal Plain, the Piedmont, the Blue Ridge, the Valley and Ridge, and the Appalachian Plateau. Amicalola Falls lies on the border of the Piedmont region of North Georgia and the Blue Ridge. Because of its proximity to both regions, the area is made up of many different types of rocks and soils. The Piedmont consists of small hills, and the bedrock is formed from metamorphosed sedimentary rock. Igneous rock can also be found in this area due to volcanism millions of years ago that forced magma through the sedimentary bedrock. Granite, which is an igneous rock, is one of the main rocks found in Amicalola Falls area(Golley, 2004). The falls also have characteristics of the Blue Ridge region. Rocks such as talc and marble can be found in this region, and metals such as gold and copper, which one existed in abundance, are still found here today. The physical aspects of the region is also different in comparison. In Georgia, the Blue Ridge region is the southernmost part of the Appalachian Mountains, so it more mountainous than the Piedmont(Seabrook, 2008). As for Amicalola Falls, it keeps the low foothills and granite rock of the Piedmont, but the other rocks of the Blue Ridge region can be found also.
Georgia has 6 soil provinces, which are areas where the composition of the soils are similar. Amicalola Falls barely falls within the border of the Blue Ridge soil province(Soil, 2008). The soil of the Amicalola region is made up predominantly (60%) of Tusquitee loam. Tusquitee loam is a coarse soil that allows for moderate permeability. It comes from the igneous and metamorphic rocks that we find in this ares that have been weathered, namely gneiss, schist, and granite. Ashe and Edneyville stony loams make up the major secondary soil types (33%). Loamy soil is soils that has an approximately equal amount of sand, silt, and clay(Lerner, 2006). The remaining 7% is a mixture of soils(USDA ).
Physical landforms, features, and processes of the area
The Blue Ridge Mountains were formed hundreds of millions of years ago from continental plate collision. It is believed that what is now northeast North America collided with what is now northwest Africa (LaTour 2005). This collision caused emmense pressure and compression which in turn caused the landscape to fold. This folding resulted in what is now known as the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Blue Ridge is comprised of thrust sheets, or stacks of rock that have been pushed up and over other rocks along an overthrust fault. As these thrust sheets continued to stack, the Blue Ridge Mountains were formed (Arbogast 385). The specific period of orogeny, or mountain building, which deals with the section of the Blue Ridge Mountains is known as the allegheny Orogeny which occured roughly 250 million years ago. One interesting thing about this is that when these mountains were originally formed, they were very rugged and some may have been upwards of 25,000 feet in elevation (Arbogast 385). This would be similar to having mountains the height of the Himalayas of Tibet in Virginia, the Carolina's, and even into northern Georgia. Amicalola Falls is located here because of the uplift that took place in this area millions of years ago.
Climate
Northern Georgia's citizens, wildlife and vegetation have the great pleasure of experiencing each season in its entirety. The summer months typically consist of warm and humid weather. The average high temperature will reach the low-to-mid 80s. However, citizens of North Georgia will experience many hot and humid days. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA Webmaster, 2009), "Readings of 90 or higher can be expected on 15 to 25 days." The average evening temperatures are scattered throughout the 60s (NOAA Webmaster, 2009).
During the winter months, the climate is highly variable. Generally, the area will receive mild (some hot days occur as well), temperatures that cycle with cold snaps, day-to-day on many occasions. The average high is in the 40s, with the average lows in the 20s. Temperatures at or below the freezing point of Fahrenheit (32 degrees) occur on 90-110 days every year (NOAA Webmaster, 2009).
Of the four seasons, spring and autumn incur the largest variability of seasonal weather day-to-day. Temperature will vary from the low-to-mid 40s with occasional dips below freezing and increases to the mid 70s. Precipitation is typically lowest during September and October year; however, this fall has been an exception. During the month of September and the early portion of October 2009, Georgia received excessive rainfall. Creeks and rivers reached full bank-load at an exponential rate, resulting in a 500-year flood (NOAA Webmaster 2009).
Precipitation
(A GOES infrared image illustrates the current (updated daily) weather patterns here.)
Average Rainfall accumulates to over 60 inches. Precipitation will occur around 140 days each year. Snow falls around 5 days each year, producing seasonal totals of snowfall of about 4-6 inches (NOAA Webmaster, 2009). The NOAA reports, "Thunderstorms are common in the spring and summer months. On a typical year, thunder will be heard on 50 to 60 days."
Vegetation
Georgia is a sub-tropical climate with predominantly temperate, deciduous forests Many hardwoods, predominantly oak and hickory line the natural skyline of the state. However, many pines and coniferous species survive the winters as well (Ricketts et al, 1999). A list of all species of plants and trees in the state of Georgia (all species do not inhabit Amicalola Falls) is available by following this link.
Background
General Overview
The Amicalola Falls, the tallest in the eastern U.S, are located within Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, GA. This 830 square acre park was founded and developed in the 1950s for the main purpose of allowing hikers access to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail near a major road (Amicalola Falls, Gateway to the Applicahian Trail [Updated 2003]). At the very southernmost limit of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Amicalola ("Tumbling Water" in Cherokee) Falls marks the Amicalola Ridge watershed boundary, and the end of the Piedmont. Due to this unusual physiographical placement, the Falls harbors traits common to both regions.Geology and soils of the area
Georgia is split into five different regions based on the characteristics and physical geography. These regions are the Coastal Plain, the Piedmont, the Blue Ridge, the Valley and Ridge, and the Appalachian Plateau. Amicalola Falls lies on the border of the Piedmont region of North Georgia and the Blue Ridge. Because of its proximity to both regions, the area is made up of many different types of rocks and soils. The Piedmont consists of small hills, and the bedrock is formed from metamorphosed sedimentary rock. Igneous rock can also be found in this area due to volcanism millions of years ago that forced magma through the sedimentary bedrock. Granite, which is an igneous rock, is one of the main rocks found in Amicalola Falls area(Golley, 2004). The falls also have characteristics of the Blue Ridge region. Rocks such as talc and marble can be found in this region, and metals such as gold and copper, which one existed in abundance, are still found here today. The physical aspects of the region is also different in comparison. In Georgia, the Blue Ridge region is the southernmost part of the Appalachian Mountains, so it more mountainous than the Piedmont(Seabrook, 2008). As for Amicalola Falls, it keeps the low foothills and granite rock of the Piedmont, but the other rocks of the Blue Ridge region can be found also.Georgia has 6 soil provinces, which are areas where the composition of the soils are similar. Amicalola Falls barely falls within the border of the Blue Ridge soil province(Soil, 2008). The soil of the Amicalola region is made up predominantly (60%) of Tusquitee loam. Tusquitee loam is a coarse soil that allows for moderate permeability. It comes from the igneous and metamorphic rocks that we find in this ares that have been weathered, namely gneiss, schist, and granite. Ashe and Edneyville stony loams make up the major secondary soil types (33%). Loamy soil is soils that has an approximately equal amount of sand, silt, and clay(Lerner, 2006). The remaining 7% is a mixture of soils(USDA ).
Physical landforms, features, and processes of the area
The Blue Ridge Mountains were formed hundreds of millions of years ago from continental plate collision. It is believed that what is now northeast North America collided with what is now northwest Africa (LaTour 2005). This collision caused emmense pressure and compression which in turn caused the landscape to fold. This folding resulted in what is now known as the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Blue Ridge is comprised of thrust sheets, or stacks of rock that have been pushed up and over other rocks along an overthrust fault. As these thrust sheets continued to stack, the Blue Ridge Mountains were formed (Arbogast 385). The specific period of orogeny, or mountain building, which deals with the section of the Blue Ridge Mountains is known as the allegheny Orogeny which occured roughly 250 million years ago. One interesting thing about this is that when these mountains were originally formed, they were very rugged and some may have been upwards of 25,000 feet in elevation (Arbogast 385). This would be similar to having mountains the height of the Himalayas of Tibet in Virginia, the Carolina's, and even into northern Georgia. Amicalola Falls is located here because of the uplift that took place in this area millions of years ago.Climate
Northern Georgia's citizens, wildlife and vegetation have the great pleasure of experiencing each season in its entirety. The summer months typically consist of warm and humid weather. The average high temperature will reach the low-to-mid 80s. However, citizens of North Georgia will experience many hot and humid days. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA Webmaster, 2009), "Readings of 90 or higher can be expected on 15 to 25 days." The average evening temperatures are scattered throughout the 60s (NOAA Webmaster, 2009).
During the winter months, the climate is highly variable. Generally, the area will receive mild (some hot days occur as well), temperatures that cycle with cold snaps, day-to-day on many occasions. The average high is in the 40s, with the average lows in the 20s. Temperatures at or below the freezing point of Fahrenheit (32 degrees) occur on 90-110 days every year (NOAA Webmaster, 2009).
Of the four seasons, spring and autumn incur the largest variability of seasonal weather day-to-day. Temperature will vary from the low-to-mid 40s with occasional dips below freezing and increases to the mid 70s. Precipitation is typically lowest during September and October year; however, this fall has been an exception. During the month of September and the early portion of October 2009, Georgia received excessive rainfall. Creeks and rivers reached full bank-load at an exponential rate, resulting in a 500-year flood (NOAA Webmaster 2009).
Precipitation
(A GOES infrared image illustrates the current (updated daily) weather patterns here.)
Average Rainfall accumulates to over 60 inches. Precipitation will occur around 140 days each year. Snow falls around 5 days each year, producing seasonal totals of snowfall of about 4-6 inches (NOAA Webmaster, 2009). The NOAA reports, "Thunderstorms are common in the spring and summer months. On a typical year, thunder will be heard on 50 to 60 days."
Vegetation
Georgia is a sub-tropical climate with predominantly temperate, deciduous forests Many hardwoods, predominantly oak and hickory line the natural skyline of the state. However, many pines and coniferous species survive the winters as well (Ricketts et al, 1999). A list of all species of plants and trees in the state of Georgia (all species do not inhabit Amicalola Falls) is available by following this link.
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